In the cramped lifeboat, Xiao Yi and the members of Team Beidou felt trapped in a cage of time. Every minute and every second seemed infinitely stretched, like sticky glue, flowing slowly and heavily. The air inside seemed thick and oppressive, making it difficult to breathe. Xiao Yi clenched his fists, his eyes revealing endless anxiety and uneasiness. He alternately glanced up at the unchanging ceiling, then cast his gaze upon his equally silent teammates beside him. Time seemed to freeze in this moment, every heartbeat was distinct, every breath tinged with deep fatigue. They didn't know how much longer they had to wait in this suffocating space, or whether the world outside had undergone earth-shattering changes. Some members of Team Beidou leaned against the wall, eyes closed, trying to find a sense of peace in the endless wait; others fiddled with their tools, as if to make time pass faster. However, no matter how hard they tried, time still moved forward at a snail's pace, and the feeling that each day felt like a year became increasingly intense, tormenting their bodies and minds.

Every second, anxiety and uneasiness crawled freely through my heart like countless tiny insects. My thoughts were a tangled mess, and my heartbeat became rapid and chaotic, as if it would burst out of my throat at any moment. My eyes could not rest, constantly scanning my surroundings. Even the slightest sound caused my entire body to tense up. My mind raced with all sorts of terrible possibilities, each one like a sharp blade, repeatedly slicing through the fragile defenses of my heart. The hands of time seemed to be held back by an invisible hand, and every passing second seemed so difficult. Seven days should have been a short period of time, but now it felt like a century. Each sunrise and sunset was like a faint light in the endless darkness, bringing not hope but deeper despair. At night, I looked up at the starry sky above, and the twinkling stars seemed to mock the endless waiting. During the day, the blazing sun penetrated the clouds, but it could not warm my heart, which was frozen by anxiety. Every morning I woke up, feeling as if I had experienced years of vicissitudes. During these long seven days, every moment was filled with anxiety, and every second was occupied by uneasiness, as if there would never be an end in sight and I would never be able to break free from the cage of time.

"I don't know what the outside has become." Xiao Yi said this slowly, his voice low and hoarse, as if rubbed by sandpaper. His eyes stared straight ahead, but his gaze was unfocused, and his deep eyes were filled with deep worry. His brows were tightly twisted together, forming a deep ravine, as if carrying countless sorrows. Xiao Yi's eyes were full of bloodshot, and there was deep fatigue and uneasiness in his eyes. The worry was like a pool of deep water, drowning him completely. His lips trembled slightly, as if he wanted to say something else, but he didn't know where to start. The air around him seemed to become solemn because of his words, and the depressing atmosphere followed him like a shadow. He just stood there blankly, motionless, like a statue carved out of worry.

Although the thunderstorm had ended, its terrifying power still lingered outside the lifeboat. The wind still howled, like a mad beast, constantly pounding the lifeboat, making a terrifying crash. The air was thick with electric charge, and every breath was accompanied by a subtle sting, as if invisible needles were irritating the nose and throat. Occasional flashes of lightning, like the ghost of the thunderstorm unwilling to leave, loomed in the clouds, momentarily illuminating the surrounding darkness, then vanished without a trace, leaving only a brief, heart-wrenching light. On the ground, trees struck by lightning lay in a mess, their charred branches emitting wisps of smoke and a pungent smell. Rocks of all sizes were swept up by the wind and fell heavily, raising a cloud of dust that made the surrounding scene even more hazy and chaotic. The distant mountains, ravaged by the thunderstorm, were left ravaged. The scars left by landslides stood like giant scars, testifying to the devastation of the disaster. The once tranquil river now surged, its surging waters mingling with mud, sand, and branches, creating a deafening roar that sent chills down one's spine. Though the thunderstorm had passed, its lingering power still stirred the world into turmoil and uncertainty, a reminder of nature's power and inviolability.

Occasionally, a low rumble echoed, like the furious roar of an ancient beast from the abyss. The sound seemed to pierce the soul, striking the most vulnerable corners of the heart. Each blast was like a hammer hitting the heart, causing the heart to involuntarily tighten. Following this low roar, a violent tremor followed. The entire ground trembled, as if an invisible giant hand were frantically shaking the land. This tremor was not gradual but sudden and unpredictable, instantly shattering the previous tranquility. The ground beneath my feet seemed to have transformed into a surging wave, making it impossible to stand firm. Each tremor felt as if I were at the end of the world, everything around me teetering on the brink of collapse. This horrifying feeling was not just physical shaking and trembling, but also a sense of mental dread and helplessness. I didn't know if the shaking would intensify in the next second, if the surrounding environment would completely collapse. Faced with this unknown threat, I could only cling tightly to whatever I could, trying to find a little comfort in this turbulent situation.

"Be careful, there may still be danger." Xiao Yi's face was serious, and he warned his teammates in a low and powerful voice. His eyes were firm and alert, quickly sweeping across the faces of each teammate, his eyes full of concern and worry. The slightly wrinkled lines on his forehead showed his inner tension and uneasiness. Xiao Yi pursed his lips tightly and leaned forward slightly, as if this would make his reminder more serious. His hands clenched into fists unconsciously, and his knuckles looked a little white because of the force. "Everyone, don't take it lightly. Don't miss any slight movement." He emphasized again, with unquestionable determination in his tone. The voice echoed in the small space, heavily knocking on the atria of every teammate.

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